Solar cell having a plurality of sub-cells coupled by a metallization structure having a metal bridge
View Patent ↗Solar cells having a plurality of sub-cells coupled by metallization structures having a metal bridge, and singulation approaches to forming solar cells having a plurality of sub-cells coupled by metallization structures, are described. In an example, the metal bridge can provide structural support and provide for an electrical connection between a first contact pad and a first busbar. Adjacent ones of the singulated and physically separated semiconductor substrate portions have a groove there between and where the metal bridge can be perpendicular to the groove. The solar cell can include a first contact pad adjacent to a second contact pad.
1. A solar cell, comprising:
a plurality of sub-cells, each of the sub-cells comprising a singulated and physically separated semiconductor substrate portion, wherein adjacent ones of the singulated and physically separated semiconductor substrate portions have a scribe there between;
a metallization structure comprising a first busbar and a second busbar, wherein a portion of the metallization structure couples ones of the plurality of sub-cells, wherein the scribe between adjacent ones of the singulated and physically separated semiconductor substrate portions exposes a portion of the metallization structure, and wherein the first busbar and the second busbar are along a first direction, the metallization structure bonded to a back surface, opposite a light-receiving surface, of each of the plurality of sub-cells, wherein the metallization structure electrically bridges at least two of the plurality of sub-cells;
a first contact pad adjacent to a second contact pad, wherein the first contact pad is of an opposite polarity than the second contact pad and wherein the first contact pad is electrically coupled to the first busbar and the second contact pad is electrically coupled to the second busbar; and
a metal bridge formed over a contact-free region of the solar cell and wherein the metal bridge electrically couples to the first contact pad to the first bus bar, wherein the metal bridge is along a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction.
2. The solar cell of claim 1 , wherein the first busbar is located at a first location and wherein the second bus bar located at a second, different, location.
3. The solar cell of claim 1 , wherein the metal bridge is located along an edge of the solar cell.
4. The solar cell of claim 1 , wherein the metal bridge is configured to provide structural support to the solar cell.
5. The solar cell of claim 1 , wherein the metal bridge is formed perpendicular to the scribe.
6. The solar cell of claim 1 , wherein the metal bridge has a width approximately in the range of 10 microns to 1 millimeter.
7. The solar cell of claim 1 , wherein the metal bridge has a thickness approximately in the range of 1-50 microns.
8. The solar cell of claim 1 , wherein the metal bridge comprises a plated metal or a metal foil.
9. The solar cell of claim 1 , wherein the metal bridge comprises copper or aluminum.
10. A solar cell, comprising:
a plurality of sub-cells, each of the sub-cells comprising a singulated and physically separated semiconductor substrate portion, wherein adjacent ones of the singulated and physically separated semiconductor substrate portions have a scribe there between; and
a metallization structure comprising a first busbar and a second busbar, wherein a portion of the metallization structure couples ones of the plurality of sub-cells, wherein the scribe between adjacent ones of the singulated and physically separated semiconductor substrate portions exposes a portion of the metallization structure, and wherein the first busbar and the second busbar are along a first direction, the metallization structure bonded to a back surface, opposite a light-receiving surface, of each of the plurality of sub-cells, wherein the metallization structure electrically bridges at least two of the plurality of sub-cells;
a first contact pad adjacent to a second contact pad, wherein the first contact pad is of an opposite polarity than the second contact pad and wherein the first contact pad is electrically coupled to the first busbar and the second contact pad is electrically coupled to the second busbar;
a first insulating region formed over a first surface of the solar cell, wherein the insulating region includes portions with and without contact regions; and
a metal bridge formed over the first insulating region without contact regions, wherein the metal bridge electrically couples the first contact pad to the first bus bar, wherein the metal bridge is along a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction.
11. The solar cell of claim 10 , wherein the first insulating region is a dielectric region.
12. The solar cell of claim 10 , wherein the first insulating region comprises silicon nitride.
13. The solar cell of claim 10 , wherein the first insulating region comprises polyimide or an inorganic laser buffer.
14. The solar cell of claim 10 , further comprising a second insulating region formed over the first insulating region, wherein the second insulating region is formed between the metal bridge and the first insulating region.
15. The solar cell of claim 14 , wherein the second insulating region comprises polyimide or an inorganic laser buffer.